If HVAC quotes have ever felt like a maze, this conversation with 5 Star Air’s Chris Kagan brings a much-needed map. We dig into why he built a repair-first company with no commissioned salespeople, how seasoned technicians change the customer experience, and what transparent pricing looks like when you can see the photos, notes, and logic behind every recommendation. It’s a grounded look at an industry that impacts your comfort, your budget, and your peace of mind.

Chris shares the moments that shaped 5 Star’s philosophy: offering free second opinions, refusing to trash competitors, and correcting inflated quotes with clear, documented options. We talk numbers on coils and full system replacements, and walk through how he negotiated aggressive pricing on select Trane systems to deliver better value without cutting corners. Quality matters because they stand behind everything they install with a one-year workmanship warranty, and they won’t touch equipment they consider unreliable—because if it breaks, they’re the ones coming back.

We also unpack the recent refrigerant transition and supply crunch, why some contractors took risky shortcuts, and how tariffs and manufacturer price hikes distorted the market. From restoring shuttered restaurant refrigeration to completing HVAC work for the Hemingway Home in Key West, Chris explains how a problem-solving mindset, documentation, and accountability turn tough jobs into trust. He even covers the unglamorous moments—like fixing a ceiling after an attic misstep—and why owning mistakes protects both the homeowner and the brand.

If you want to understand how to evaluate an HVAC quote, when a repair makes more sense than a replacement, and what proof you should expect from any contractor, this episode delivers practical insight you can use today. Subscribe, share with a neighbor who’s facing a big AC decision, and leave a review to tell us what you want us to dive into next.

5 Star Air
Chris Kagan
8191 College Pkwy #303, Fort Myers, FL 33919
239-282-2222
chris@5starair.com
5starair.com

Ft Myers Beach-Good Neighbor
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